Plant extract - Digestive enzyme

Papaya

Fruit of the angels: Papain, the tropical digestive enzyme

Latin name

Carica papaya L.

Family

Caricaceae

History & Botany

The papaya tree is native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, where it has been cultivated and consumed for millennia by the Aztecs and Mayas. Christopher Columbus, during his voyages of discovery, called it the "fruit of the angels", so exquisite and nourishing did its flesh seem to him. Indigenous peoples used its latex to treat wounds, intestinal parasites and digestive disorders. Introduced to Africa and Asia by Portuguese and Spanish explorers in the 16th–17th centuries, it is now cultivated in all tropical regions of the globe.

In 1937, papain was listed in the French Pharmaceutical Codex, official recognition of its medicinal use. Its best-known clinical application in conventional medicine is chemonucleolysis of herniated discs using chymopapain, practised until the 2000s. West African traditions use leaves and latex for their digestive and antiparasitic properties. Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine attribute tonic, immunostimulating and antitumoral properties to the plant.

Morphology

Fast-growing tree reaching 5 to 10 metres, with a palm-like appearance. Very large palmate leaves borne on long hollow stems. Ovoid fruits of 20 to 30 cm, green then yellow-orange when ripe, with juicy orange flesh containing numerous black seeds. The trunk secretes a milky white latex highly concentrated in papain.

Parts used

Latex (incision of green fruit, very rich in papain), Leaves (as infusion, flavonoids and alkaloids), Fruit pulp (papain + chymopapain + antioxidants), Seeds (antiparasitic, glucosinolates).

Carica papaya L. - ripe fruit with characteristic orange flesh

Organoleptic characteristics

Appearance

Ovoid fruit, orange-yellow skin, bright orange flesh, milky white latex

Odour

Sweet, exotic and musky, slightly fermented when very ripe

Flavour

Sweet and mild (ripe fruit); leaves are very bitter, slightly astringent

Texture

Very soft and juicy flesh; viscous white latex that coagulates rapidly

Active compounds

Medicinal properties & traditional use

Digestive enzyme substitute

Papain is proposed as a substitute for gastric and duodenal enzymes in cases of pancreatic or gastric insufficiency. Reduces protein digestion time. Relieves bloating, post-meal heaviness and flatulence. Ideal after protein-rich meals.

Anti-inflammatory & antiparasitic

Systemic anti-inflammatory action via reduction of circulating immune complexes. Used alongside treatments for tendinitis, joint pain and post-traumatic inflammation. Intestinal antiparasitic activity (worms, helminths) confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies.

Antioxidant & immunostimulant

Exceptional richness in carotenoids and vitamin C. Cellular protection against oxidative stress. Immunostimulating, tonic and remineralising properties of the pulp. Cardiovascular health support via lycopene and beta-carotene.